The Fischer’s Lovebird belongs to the group of African Lovebirds which derives its name from the white, fleshy, orbital eye-ring.  Fischer’s Lovebirds are one of four species included in the eye-ring group of lovebirds that consists of Fischer’s (fischeri), Masked (personata), Black-Cheeked (nigrigenis) and Nyasa (lilianae).  The Fischer’s Lovebird measures approximately 4 inches in length.  The body is green; the cheeks and throat orange; small band of golden-yellow on the neck as the orange meets green; top of the head is olive-green; forehead is a lovely tomato-red; rump is blue; the tail is green with sky-blue tips and an indistinct black band shortly before the end; the roots of the outermost feathers of the wings are brownish-red underneath; eyes are brown; beak is red; legs are slate-blue.  The offspring look much like the parents except that their colors are somewhat duller, and the base of the upper mandible has brown markings; weight:  cocks - 43 grams; hens - 48 grams.  Fischer’s are monomorphic where the cock and hen appear similar.  Their call consists of a shrill whistle and high pitched twittering.

Fischer’s Lovebirds were discovered by Dr. G.A. Fischer on his expedition from Pangani to Lake Victoria, Africa, and named in his honor by Reichenow in 1887.  Fischer’s are colony breeders in the wild, found on the inland plateaus, south of Lake Victoria in northern Tanzania, Africa.  In the wild, nest preparation begins around the first of May.  They nest after the rainy season in hollow trees and under the leaves of large palm trees.  Domestic breeding may occur at any time of the year.  The ideal breeding time is spring or early summer.  The breeding ritual begins with the cock initiating courtship by feeding the hen (regurgitating food with nodding head movements).  The cock flies around the hen in small semi-circles and lands beside her every so often.  This is accompanied by head scratching from behind and beak clicking by the cock.  This behavior will help distinguish the sexes because the hen rarely scratches.  The hen will then invite him to mate by spreading out and holding up her wings, cocking her tail and laying her head on her back.

A tremendous amount of nesting material should be provided to the pair including, fresh twigs from willow or birch, fruit trees, honeysuckle vine, bayberry, and palm fronds.  The hen does most of the nest building by carrying nesting materials to the nestbox in her beak.  After preparing a large domed nest, egg laying will begin.  The hen will begin to incubate after the first or second egg is laid.  Approximately four to six, usually five, eggs are laid, every other day, which will hatch in approximately 21 days.  Newly hatched chicks are flesh colored with orange down.  The eyes open around the 10th to 12th day.  Nestlings are fed by both parents, but after fledging, mostly by the cock.  Fischer’s seem to be more inclined to pluck their young than any other species of lovebird.  While incubation occurs, the hen rarely leaves the nestbox, only to eat and evacuate.  The cock will feed the hen inside the nestbox and will stand guard at the entrance hole of the nestbox.  When eggs are in the nest and both the cock and hen are out of the nestbox at the same time, when they return, the hen will enter the nestbox first and then the cock will follow.  Leaving the nestbox takes place in reverse order.  The young will normally fledge (leave the nestbox) at six weeks of age, but will continue to be fed by the parents until approximately 8 weeks of age, at which time they should be considered weaned.

Fischer’s Lovebirds enjoy a varied diet of mixed seed, fresh fruit and vegetables along with unsweetened dried cereals and whole grain bread.  They especially relish corn on the cob.  When feeding a pelleted diet, do not offer any type of vitamin supplements, only fresh, natural foods.

When selecting your Fischer’s Lovebird, either as a pet or breeder, set your standards high and begin with the best stock available.  Obtaining good quality birds is the first and most important step.  Obvious signs of hybridization include sootyness and/or shadiness around the cheek and facial area.  A pure Fischer’s Lovebird will have a clean, clear orange face.  As breeders, it is our responsibility to help educate the public so that people understand not to cross the species.  Since importation is no longer an option, we must keep the gene pools clean for future generations.

Wendy L. Poole, Director
BCA Lovebird Genus Coordinator
BCA Fischer's Lovebird Partnership
TWP Aviary

Revised 11/98